France has had fifty years of military and administrative excellence under Louis XIV, the Sun King and his servants. They achieved this in spite of a backdrop of strife and rebellion sparked by France’s involvement in the Thirty Years War. Louis and his able ministers, Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin, were able to steer France away from the feudal struggles that hampered growth, and they created a centralised government where the King’s power is absolute.

In 1700, France is the pre-eminent power in Western Europe, with an unrivalled army, vast colonies and a King who is respected and feared by all, both at home and abroad. Few nations pose any real threat to his well-equipped armies and heavily fortified borders.

The French Bourbon dynasty is strong, even though Louis XIV is aging. There are sons and relations aplenty, with legitimate claims to many titles. To the south, the lack of a Hapsburg heir in Spain – and the feeble-mindedness of Charles II – means that a Bourbon could one day rule in Madrid. A course of action that brings this about has much to recommend it. Of course, not all offshoots of the Hapsburg line are as weak as their Spanish cousins. The Austrian Habsburgs, and other European nations, may not be entirely willing to see a Frenchman or French nominee as King of Spain. No matter.

France is surrounded by possibilities, and beyond Europe there are other continents to conquer and colonise: New France in North America, and the riches of India. The untrustworthy British may have to be swept aside or crushed, but what is wrong with that?

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Popular units 受歡迎兵種

No.

Card兵種

Name名稱

Class兵種

Cost招募費

Unkeep維持費

1

160

Maison du Roi(maison_du_roi)Elite InfantryThe elite foot guards are charged with protecting the persons of the monarch and the royal family.

3-lber Horse Artillery(3_lber_land_cannon_galloper)Horse ArtilleryIntended to keep up with rapidly-advancing mounted forces, horse artillery batteries have a touch of “cavalry dash” about them.

24

6-lber Horse Artillery(6_lber_land_cannon_galloper)Horse ArtilleryIntended to keep up with rapidly-advancing mounted forces, horse artillery batteries have a touch of “cavalry dash” about them.

24

18-lber Horse Guard Artillery(18_lber_land_cannon_guard_galloper)Horse ArtilleryIntended to keep up with rapidly-advancing mounted forces, horse artillery batteries have a touch of “cavalry dash” about them.

60

Cuirassiers(euro_cuirassiers)Heavy CavalryCuirassiers are heavy cavalry who still wear armour, who rely on the shock of impact to defeat enemies.

60

Garde du Corps(garde_du_corps)Heavy CavalryThe royal guard cavalrymen are all gentlemen, hand picked to protect the person of the sovereign.

60

Chevaux-légers(euro_lancers_chevau_legers)Lancer CavalryThese cavalrymen are armed with a long spear or lance that makes them particularly deadly when charging.

30

Colonial Light Cavalry(episodic_2_light_cavalry_colonial)Light CavalryLight cavalry are used to screen an army and act as its eyes and ears; they can also pursue fleeing enemies and keep them from regrouping.

60

Colonial Light Cavalry(euro_light_cavalry_colonial)Light CavalryLight cavalry are used to screen an army and act as its eyes and ears; they can also pursue fleeing enemies and keep them from regrouping.

60

Mounted Tribal Auxiliary(native_american_mounted_musketeers_auxiliary)Missile CavalryThese tribesmen are willing to fight for European gold, and a musket apiece.

60

Chasseurs à Cheval(euro_light_cavalry_chasseurs_a_cheval)Missile CavalryLight cavalry are used to screen an army and act as its eyes and ears; they can also pursue fleeing enemies and keep them from regrouping.

60

Carabineers(euro_carabiniers)Missile CavalryThese light cavalrymen are armed with carbines; it is their role to harass enemies with fire.

Sepoys(euro_sepoys)Line InfantryRecruited by colonial powers, these indigenous Indian infantry are renowned for their loyalty and resilience.

160

Régiments Étrangers(euro_expat_infantry_regiments_etrangeres)Line InfantryExpatriate infantry are exiles in another nation’s service: men with nothing left to lose but their lives.

160

French East India Co. Infantry(euro_company_infantry_french_eic)Line InfantryRaised in India, these European mercenaries do not fight “for king and country” but for the great East Indies trading companies.

160

Colonial Line Infantry(euro_line_infantry_colonial)Line InfantryThese musket-armed troops use massed volleys to break an enemy, relying on discipline to withstand any counter fire.

160

Line Infantry(euro_line_infantry_france)Line InfantryThese musket-armed troops use massed volleys to break an enemy, relying on discipline to withstand any counter fire.

160

Bulkeley's Regiment(sp_ed_wild_geese)Line InfantryExpatriate infantry are exiles in another nation’s service: men with nothing left to lose but their lives.

160

Native Warrior Auxiliary(native_american_warriors_auxiliary)Melee InfantryThese tribal warriors are willing to fight for foreign invaders, as it gives them a chance for glory and fame.

160

Pikemen(euro_pikemen)Melee InfantryPikemen carry long spears of a type that would have been familiar to the soldiers of Alexander the Great.

200

Ghoorkas(sp_ed_ghoorkas)Melee InfantryRecruited by colonial powers, these indigenous Indian infantry are renowned for their loyalty and resilience.

160

Militia(euro_militia_infantry)MilitiaThese musket-armed troops are recruited to defend their own locality, not carry the war to an enemy’s land.

160

Colonial Militia(euro_militia_infantry_colonial_militia)MilitiaThese musket-armed troops are recruited to defend their own locality, not carry the war to an enemy’s land.

160

Dahomey Amazons(sp_ed_dahomey_amazon)MilitiaThese merciless female warriors, armed with rifles, are rightly feared by men for their aggression in battle.

80

Native Bowmen Auxiliary(native_american_archers_auxiliary)SkirmishersThese tribal warriors are willing to fight for foreign powers, but at a price.

80

Coureurs de Bois(euro_rangers_courers_de_bois)SkirmishersThese elite light infantrymen are trained in wilderness warfare and taught to survive in harsh conditions.

25

Brig(episodic_2_brig)BrigA brig is a lightly armed, small, two-masted sailing ship, much prized for its exceptional handling and sailing qualities.

25

Brig(brig_french)BrigA brig is a lightly armed, small, two-masted sailing ship, much prized for its exceptional handling and sailing qualities.

18

Sloop(episodic_2_sloop)SloopA sloop of war is usually ketch-rigged with two masts. These small vessels handle well in restricted waters.

18

Sloop(sloop_french)SloopA sloop of war is usually ketch-rigged with two masts. These small vessels handle well in restricted waters.

Galley(medium_galley)Medium GalleyGalleys are propelled by both oars and sails, with cannons on firing platforms above the rowers’ heads.

72

Admiral's Flagship, 3rd Rate(3rd_rate_admiral_french)AdmiralThe third rate is a compromise between firepower and handling. A stable gun platform, it also makes a good flagship.

102

Admiral's Flagship, 1st Rate(1st_rate_admiral_french)AdmiralThe first rate is the largest type of “ship of the line of battle”, intended to be the command ships at the centre of any fleet.

102

First Rate Ship of the Line(1st_rate_french)1st RateThe first rate is the largest type of “ship of the line of battle”, intended to be the centre of any fleet. These are very expensive and powerful vessels.

56

Fourth Rate Ship of the Line(4th_rate_french)4th RateThe fourth rate is the smallest vessel styled a “ship of the line” (of battle), carrying as many as 60 guns.

118

Heavy First Rate(over_1st_rate_french)Over 1st RateFor some navies big is never quite big enough! This oversized “first rate ship of the line” is more a floating fortress than a mere battleship.

84

Second Rate Ship of the Line(2nd_rate_french)2nd RateThe second rate is a three-deck “Battle Ship of the Line” carrying up to 98 cannons, a powerful unit in any fleet.

72

Third Rate Ship of the Line(3rd_rate_french)3rd RateThe third rate is an excellent compromise between firepower and handling qualities. A stable gun platform, it has more guns than many whole armies!

12

Indiaman (Trade Ship)(indiaman)IndiamanThe Indiaman is an armed merchant ship, strongly built for the trade routes between Europe and the East. It is not a warship, but can defend itself in need.

15

Bomb Ketch(bomb_ketch_french)Bomb KetchThe “bomb” is a floating weapons platform, usually adapted from a small, two-masted ketch. The whole ship is constructed around a single large-calibre mortar.

2

Rocket Ship(rocket_ship_french)Rocket ShipA rocket ship is a floating arsenal, usually converted from a two-masted ketch-rigged vessel. The whole ship is given over to a rocket battery and the necessary stores.